Neon Heart X
FICTION FEATURE FILM
written and directed by
Lucas Estevan Soares
production company
IHC Studio
genre
Drama, Action
format
Feature Film
logline
In a neighborhood oppressed by a violent militia, a man seeks vengeance and justice, turning an iconic car into a symbol of resistance.
synopsis
In the heart of Curitiba, the Boqueirão neighborhood lives under the brutal control of the Owl Heads, a private militia that uses violence to dominate the community. When Gomes, a dangerous former criminal, returns to reclaim power, the neighborhood’s resistance is reignited.
Led by Fernando and his inseparable friend Dinho, marginalized residents unite their forces, transforming the legendary Boquelove into a war machine.
Between personal conflicts, painful losses, and epic battles, Fernando faces a final showdown not only against his enemies but also against the ghosts of his past.
A story about resistance, grief, and the fight for freedom in the vibrant, oppressed streets of a wounded neighborhood.
manifesto video
Neon Heart X moodboard
cast
Fernando (30)
Lucas Estevan Soares
Dinho (30)
Wawa Black
Gomes (50)
Wagner Jovanaci
Adriano (35)
A+ actor (in negotiation)
Neon Heart (2023)
Released theatrically in 2023, Neon Heart is a Brazilian drama-action feature film, written, directed, and starred by Lucas Estevan Soares, produced by Rhaissa Gonçalves.
The film was 100% self-financed by the partners of the International House of Cinema (IHC), without using incentive laws, and independently distributed — establishing a fully integrated production model from development to commercial exhibition.
It premiered internationally in Houston (USA), screened in festivals in Europe and Asia, and reached Brazilian cinemas in over 100 theaters including Cinemark, UCI, Cinesystem, and Cinépolis. It also premiered in Argentina and Uruguay, receiving awards in Houston, Moscow, and Pedra Azul, and was screened at the Marché du Film – Cannes. Critics recognized it as a milestone of the New Brazilian Popular Cinema.
More than a critical and audience success, Neon Heart became a symbol of creative autonomy and technical innovation — the first Brazilian film mixed in Dolby Atmos 9.1.
Its independent execution demonstrated IHC’s operational excellence, integrating development, production, post-production, and distribution — the foundation for expanding its universe in Neon Heart X.
IHC’s complete operational capacity—from concept to distribution—was proven through the project.
All major Brazilian exhibitors sent official letters of support, expressing interest in screening Neon Heart X, reinforcing IHC as a rising independent studio in the country.
Who is the director?
Lucas Estevan Soares is the creative and strategic engine behind IHC — founder, director, and the primary intellectual force of the studio.
Born in Curitiba, he is one of the few filmmakers from Paraná to bring a feature film to the Cannes Film Festival, solidifying his presence among the new voices of contemporary Brazilian cinema.
At 21, he traveled across 27 countries making independent cinema and released Independent Roads (a collection of 7 shorts) in festivals and showcases across Europe, Africa, and Latin America — an experience that shaped his ability to create impactful work with minimal resources.
In 2012, he founded IHC in Curitiba; in 2017, opened a branch in Miami; in 2019, wrote, directed, and starred in his first feature (Neon Heart), released theatrically in 2023 and recognized in Cannes as an example of the New Brazilian Popular Cinema.
Lucas masters every stage of the audiovisual chain — writing, directing, producing, sound, editing, and score — and maintains active partnerships with exhibitors and technical partners (Dolby, Delarte, Cinemark). He is also an entrepreneur and industry investor: a rare case of someone who idealizes, structures, and delivers the complete vision of a studio.
director’s vision
Neon Heart X is not just a film; it is the consolidation of a genre I created and proudly develop: the New Brazilian Popular Cinema. This approach emerged with my first feature, which premiered at Cannes in 2022, and has since become my signature as a filmmaker.
The New Brazilian Popular Cinema merges the emotional power of art-house filmmaking with the accessibility of commercial cinema. It respects independence and creativity while strategically engaging audiences, partners, and investors.
With Neon Heart X, I elevate this proposal through proven iconic elements:
• the striking aesthetic of the Boquelove — a car that becomes a character and symbol
• the Capybara — a surreal and emotional figure carrying the film’s magical tone
• the Boqueirão neighborhood — a living metaphor for resistance in Brazilian peripheries
My goal is to craft a hypnotic narrative, merging raw realism and stylized fantasy.
Inspired by Greek tragedies, the film explores grief, vengeance, and liberation. Fernando reflects a broken but hopeful society.
The action is intense, the emotion is tangible, and the aesthetic is unique.
The visual inspiration of Athena (Romain Gavras) is adapted to the Brazilian context: vibrant colors, dynamic camera movement, and emotional pauses.
Every creative choice balances art and commercial viability.
Iconic elements like the Boquelove and the Owl Heads are designed to attract audiences, investors, and partnerships, establishing a sustainable model for Brazilian independent cinema.
Neon Heart X is more than a film; it is the statement of a movement, the continuation of a vision, and proof that high-quality, relevant, and accessible cinema is possible.
It is where grief meets redemption, where the periphery finds its voice, and where Brazilian cinema finds a new identity.
The New Brazilian Popular Cinema is — and always will be — my mission as a filmmaker.